she turned back to look into the officer’s eyes, she found herself disagreeing with the First Wizard. To the Minions, the culture of death was easily as important as that dealing with life, and she would honor it.
“Permission granted,” she said. “The mystics will see to your needs.”
Immensely grateful, the officer went to one knee and bowed his head. “Thank you, mistress,” he said, “from both our living and our dead.”
Shailiha walked to the starboard gunwale and tiredly leaned up against it. After a time she heard bodies splashing into the sea. To her great discouragement, the sounds went on for far longer than she might have guessed.
After a time she saw a broad azure beam extend from theTammerland and streak into the night. Its gentle embrace washed over the sea to collect the bodies together then slowly push them east, a safe distance from the ship.
Almost at once the dead burst into flames. Shailiha turned to see that every warrior who could stand had silently come to attention. Those who were conscious but too severely wounded to stand were being held upright by their fellow warriors. At that moment Shailiha realized she had done the right thing.
Tyranny came to join her at the rail. For a time they watched the corpses burn in silence. As the privateer saw the sun slowly start creeping up over the horizon, she tossed her spent cigarillo into the sea.
“We have survived, but our losses have been great,” she said softly. “You are faced with a difficult choice.”
“I know,” Shailiha answered. “To continue on to the Citadel, or to lick our wounds and go home.”
Shailiha cast her gaze farther out to sea. The burning bodies were fewer now, and their roaring flames were starting to ebb.
“But first we must search for Traax,” she said.
Turning away from the railing, the two women tiredly went to help with the wounded.
CHAPTER LI
CLOSING HIS EYES, TRISTAN RUBBED HIS TEMPLES WITHhis fingertips. He was exhausted. Worse, he was deeply concerned over the news he had recently gotten. After taking another sip of wine he looked worriedly into his friends’ faces.
He was in Faegan’s chambers in the depths of the Redoubt. It was the day following his visit to the highlander camp, and the hour was late. Abbey, Aeolus, and a Minion warrior of new acquaintance sat at the table with him. As the prince considered his options, the remains of an ashen log crumbled to its death in the fireplace grate, its sound the only break in the gloomy silence.
While viewing Tristan’s medallion yesterday, the prince and Abbey had seen some of the mayhem overtaking the Conclave fleet. Mad with worry, they had wanted to watch longer, but Tristan reluctantly followed the Crysenium Envoys’ advice and ended the spell. After that he had paced the palace like a caged animal, fearing for his friends and warriors who were so far out to sea.
Three hours later, Faegan’s azure portal had unexpectedly appeared on the palace grounds. As its whirling vortex coalesced, a terrible sight formed. Wounded warriors emerged in droves to collapse on the grass. Some died where they fell.
Tristan had been quickly summoned from his bed. Surmising that the Conclave had sent the wounded home because of their overwhelming numbers, he had immediately summoned Aeolus, Abbey, and every acolyte and Minion healer. Even Mallory, Martha, Ariana, and the palace gnomes were working feverishly, doing what they could to help tend the wounded.
A few hours later the entire palace and its surrounding areas were overflowing with Minion wounded and dying. As Tristan frantically directed the emergency efforts, an unknown warrior approached him, bearing a letter. After telling Tristan he had just arrived through the portal, he went to one knee and humbly handed the correspondence to hisJin’Sai.
The letter was addressed to Abbey. But the warrior had been given orders that if theJin’Sai had returned, it should be given to him instead. Tristan recognized the red wax seal immediately. Its imprint bore the lion, the broadsword, and the letters “SG.”
He tore the envelope open and read its contents quickly, then looked at the warrior who had brought it. “What is your name?” he demanded.
“Kratos,” the warrior answered.
“You were part of the recent fighting that took place over the Sea of Whispers?” Tristan asked.
“Yes, my lord. I killed six of the beasts. I had never seen anything like them.”
Tristan’s response was immediate. “Are you familiar with the herbmistress named Abbey?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Go to her,” he said. “She is in the Chamber of Supplication, tending to the wounded. I want her and the man named Aeolus to immediately join me in Faegan’s quarters, in the Redoubt. I want you there too.”
Kratos clicked his heels together. “I live to serve,” he said. Tristan watched him hurry off.
That had been one hour ago. As he again looked down at Shailiha’s letter, he sensed the burden of command that would be weighing so heavily across his sister’s shoulders. Before allowing Kratos into the room, he had shown the letter to Abbey and Aeolus. Picking it up, he silently read it again:
Dearest Abbey,
As I write this, we are doing all we can to tend to the thousands of warriors wounded in a recent air battle with Serena’s forces. It is plain that there will be far too many for us to treat. We have therefore activated Faegan’s portal, so that they can be sent home. We pray that you, the acolytes, and the Minion healers will save as many as you can. Know too that for the next several days, Faegan’s portal will reappear at midday, and stay open each time for as long as he can sustain it.
Serena’s creatures were beaten back, but at a terrible price. Early estimates show that at least a full third of our warriors are dead or wounded. TheMalvina, the Florian, and the acolytes who captained them were lost to a giant wave that we believe was conjured by Serena. The other four Black Ships were damaged, but Tyranny says that they can be repaired. Sadly, a scout patrol led by Traax has gone missing. The longer they are gone, the more we fear them dead.
As the hours pass, I struggle with the decision about whether to carry on to the Citadel. I will confer with the other Conclave members and decide shortly. If in your judgment more warriors can be spared from the palace, please send them to us. Should there be any news about Tristan please tell us. Besides our many troubles, we all worry for him desperately.
Love,
Shailiha
Letting go a deep breath, Tristan folded the letter, then replaced it into its envelope. After sliding it beneath his worn leather vest, he looked at Kratos.
“What else can you tell us?” he asked.
“Little, my lord,” Kratos answered. “TheJin’Saiou has explained matters well. The wizards cremated our dead. Everyone worries for the fate of Traax’s lost patrol.”
On hearing about Traax again, Tristan sadly shook his head. He was glad that Ox was still at the highlander camp, and unable to hear the news.
“Thank you,” Tristan said to Kratos. “Your service has been admirable. Please wait in the hall.”
Kratos bowed.“Jin’Sai,” he said simply. He walked across the room and let himself out.
Leaning his forearms on the table, Tristan closed his eyes. “It’s my fault,” he said. “Had I come home sooner, I would never have allowed the fleet to sail.”
“I don’t understand,” Aeolus said. “You gave them the order to attack, did you not? Surely you suspected that Serena would have traps lying in wait.”
“Yes,” Tristan answered. “But that was before I knew.”
“Knew what?” Aeolus asked.
Abbey touched Tristan on the arm. “I assume that you asked Aeolus here because you wanted the wisdom of
